History of Leadership America

Leadership America—one of the longest running national women's leadership programs in the world—was established in 1988 to recognize and bring together executive women who have achieved success in their professions, communities and beyond. Through advanced education, professional development and exclusive networking, participants establish a stronger leadership chain across disciplines and throughout the nation and the world.

Each year leading up to 2007, a select class of women participants have been identified to explore the most pressing issues facing America's private and public sectors over the course of year. Three city sessions serve as backdrops against which the program examines timely issues of interest across a wide range of professional, geographic, and personal backgrounds. An interactive agenda is uniquely created to showcase best-in-class programs and projects, as well as address compelling challenges and successes to give participants a new leadership perspective and expose them to models that are important to personal and professional development. Through the program dialogue, debate, panel discussions and site visits, participants have been inspired by leaders from all industries to expand conventional boundaries, strengthen leadership abilities, and create positive change.

Having celebrated 20 years of programming this past year, more than 2,500 graduates continue to make strides and lead in every sector of business and community, from the corporate landscape to medicine and law, in education, government and public policy, entrepreneurial endeavors, as well as in not-for-profit and volunteer arenas. Program graduates include such notable leaders as The Honorable Eddie Bernice Johnson, United States Representative, Ambassador Swanee Hunt, Director, Women & Public Policy Program, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Gloria G Rodriguez, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Avance Family Support and Education Programs and Cassandra Carr, Senior Executive Vice President, AT&T to name a few.

The Future of Leadership America

In recognition of the significant contribution to advancing women leaders, the Leadership America program is charting a new course in 2008 with the goal of defining what women leaders need to lead in the 21st century. A diverse group of women graduates from the nation's leading organizations supporting women’s advancement will be invited to participate in a comprehensive exploration of their leadership experiences and professional development at five regional Leader Summits. Focus areas for the program will include looking at what has changed in the professional environment over the past 25 years and identification of "Next Big Thing" needed for tomorrow’s women leaders to successfully leverage their power and influence in the 21st century.

Outcomes from the 2008 program will set the stage for innovative new program models for 2009 program participants and deliver much needed resources that will aid professional organizations in harnessing the power of their women leaders. Other program benefits that will be made available include an online assessment of effective professional development programs made available to Human Resource, Diversity and Training professionals that are at the forefront of today’s leader development discussion.

Prominent collaborating organizations having a shared vision and history of helping empower women realize their full potential as leaders have joined together to support the program. Leadership America collaborating organizations include the National African-American Women’s Leadership Institute, the National Hispana Leadership Institute, the Center for Asian Pacific American Women, Leadership Texas, Leadership Illinois and Leadership California.